Frugal People Save Money on a Daily Basis

There are many ways that frugal people save money on a daily basis. The following list is a sample from the forums that Sara at Frugal Village came up with. It will inspire you to implement some of these small steps and see the impact it has on your household budget.

I have to admit even I don't do all these things, however it sure gives you something to think about. Feel free to add some tips of your own to this list.

1. Turn your thermostat up (or down, depending on the season) 2º during the day and 5º at night. You won’t notice the difference and your energy bill will be reduced.
2. Serve a meatless supper a few times each month.
3. Do your laundry in cold water.
4. Clip and use coupons.
5. Only run your diswasher when it’s full.
6. Use meal planning to avoid extra trips to the store.
7. Save even more by meal planning around the weekly sales.
8. Plant a garden and grow your own vegetables.
9. Hang your bath towels up to dry and re-use them.
10. Eat leftovers
11. When you cook spaghetti, put the water in the pan and then the spaghetti and put a lid on it. When it boils, turn it off and time for 10 minutes, keeping the lid on it. This saves energy and money by not keeping the stove on the whole time the spaghetti boils.
12. Have yard sales whenever you have things you no longer want and need! One persons junk is another persons treasure.
13. To save money on garbage bags for the bathroom or a little wastebasket use your plastic grocery bag you get at the store. The handles on the bag can be tied up and tossed out in the garbage can.
14. If you drink many sodas, name brand or generic, recycle the cans. We have been recylcing and have made some great splurge money. It’s really great for kids to earn some extra money.
15. I use small containers for leftover vegetables and meat. I use them to make soups, pot pies, stews and stir fries. I think you will amazed at how quickly the food adds up and this is food most people throw away.
16. Hit the freebie pages on the internet.
17. A cheap and easy way to clean your mirrors is to use newspaper and alcohol. Just fill a spray bottle with 1/2 alcohol and 1/2 water. Spray them mirror then wipe with the newspaper. You will have shiny, clean mirrors
18. Bake 2 loaves of bread a week
19. Use your crockpot, rice cooker or grill for cooking as much as possible
20. Freeze everything that’s leftover.
21. Clean with vinegar and baking soda.
22. Drink water.
23. Keep a well stocked pantry and freezer.
24. Pay bills on time.
25. Shop loss leaders.
26. Mix half water and half liquid fabric softener in a spray bottle.
27. Close all the lights, all the time.
28. Dilute my juice with a can or two of water.
29. Reuse and recycle many things.
30. Make lunches instead of buying at school or work.
31. Make your own diaper wipes
32. Use less laundry and dishwashing detergent
33. Cut my dryer sheets in 4ths
34. Line dry clothing.
35. Buy beef in bulk for the freezer.
36. Watch clearance aisles for gift items, keep several gifts on hand so you don’t have to pay full price for any in a pinch.
37. Take drinks anytime you leave the house for a couple of hours.
38. Make your own cleaners
39. Try to buy store brands.
40. Borrow videos, books and cd’s from the library
41. Reuse coffee grounds
42. Don’t have cable or satelite tv
43. Don’t subscribe to the daily paper
44. Cook in bulk
45. Shop thrift stores, yard sales, auctions, clearance sales, etc.
46. Keep a running grocery list
47. Email instead of call long distance friends and family more
48. Use a pre paid cell plan.
49. Go longer between hair cuts or cut hair yourself
50. Bathe your dog at home
51. Save all your change
52. Call c/c’s to negotiate lower rates.
53. Stay home more often.
54. See if you can get better rates on insurance.
55. Get rid of things you don’t use. Less clutter= less cleaning= less money spent on cleaning supplies, and time.
56. Wash your vehicle at home.
57. Pay bills online.
58. Make your own pizza.